By Patrick Haond Last updated: 18th May 2008
Arsenal are believed to be preparing a summer swoop for Marseille starlet Samir Nasri.
The Gunners are keen to bolster their midfield options following the departure of Mathieu Flamini to Milan and have identified the French international as their prime target.
The 20-year-old signed a new long-term contract at Stade Velodrome just a fortnight ago, but it is understood that the deal was only agreed in order to settle a transfer protocol with the Ligue 1 club.
Marseille are subsequently in a position to demand 17.8million euros (£14million) for the player, a figure which Arsene Wenger may struggle to meet.
If the Gunners fail in their attempts to bring the playmaker to Emirates Stadium, Internazionale and Real Madrid are expected to renew the interest they showed in Nasri last year.
Eric Gerets admits that the likelihood of keeping the midfielder in France looks slim and expects one of Europe's top clubs to come knocking during the close season.
"Before thinking about bringing in reinforcements over the summer we need to know who is going to stay, and above all the players I want to keep," the Marseille boss told L'Equipe.
"If there is a big offer for Samir, then of course he will leave.
"I can't criticize the club because it is the same everywhere. When there is a huge offer made, players leave."

Sunderland 1-0 Arsenal - Le Tissier
Burnley 1-1 Aston Villa - O'Neill
Sunderland 1-0 Arsenal - Wenger
Sunderland 1-0 Arsenal - Bruce
Wenger - French should offer replay
Wolves 1-4 Arsenal - McCarthy
Wolves 1-4 Arsenal - Wenger
Arsenal 4-1 AZ Alkmaar
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Tuesday 24th November | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| 19:45 | Arsenal vs Standard Liege |
| Sunday 29th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 16:00 | Arsenal vs Chelsea |
| Wednesday 2nd December | |
| Carling Cup | |
| 19:45 | Man City vs Arsenal |
| Saturday 5th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Arsenal vs Stoke |
| Wednesday 9th December | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| 19:45 | Olympiacos vs Arsenal |
| Sunday 13th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 16:00 | Liverpool vs Arsenal |
| Wednesday 16th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Burnley vs Arsenal |
| Saturday 19th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 17:30 | Arsenal vs Hull |
| Sunday 27th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 13:30 | Arsenal vs Aston Villa |
| Wednesday 30th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Portsmouth vs Arsenal |
| Saturday 9th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Arsenal vs Everton |
| Sunday 17th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 16:00 | Bolton vs Arsenal |
| Wednesday 27th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Aston Villa vs Arsenal |
| Sunday 31st January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 16:00 | Arsenal vs Man Utd |
| Saturday 6th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Chelsea vs Arsenal |
| Tuesday 9th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Arsenal vs Liverpool |
| Saturday 20th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Arsenal vs Sunderland |
| Saturday 27th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Stoke vs Arsenal |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Saturday 21st November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Sunderland 1 - 0 Arsenal | |
| Saturday 7th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Wolverhampton 1 - 4 Arsenal | |
| Wednesday 4th November | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| Arsenal 4 - 1 AZ | |
| Saturday 31st October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Arsenal 3 - 0 Tottenham | |
| Wednesday 28th October | |
| Carling Cup | |
| Arsenal 2 - 1 Liverpool | |
| Sunday 25th October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| West Ham 2 - 2 Arsenal | |
| Tuesday 20th October | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| AZ 1 - 1 Arsenal | |
| Saturday 17th October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Arsenal 3 - 1 Birmingham | |
| Sunday 4th October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Arsenal 6 - 2 Blackburn | |
| Tuesday 29th September | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| Arsenal 2 - 0 Olympiacos | |
| Saturday 26th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Fulham 0 - 1 Arsenal | |
| Tuesday 22nd September | |
| Carling Cup | |
| Arsenal 2 - 0 West Brom | |
| Saturday 19th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Arsenal 4 - 0 Wigan | |
| Wednesday 16th September | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| Standard Liege 2 - 3 Arsenal | |
| Saturday 12th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man City 4 - 2 Arsenal | |
| Saturday 29th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man Utd 2 - 1 Arsenal | |
| Wednesday 26th August | |
| UEFA Champions League Qualifying | |
| Arsenal 3 - 1 Celtic | |
| Saturday 22nd August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Arsenal 4 - 1 Portsmouth | |
| Tuesday 18th August | |
| UEFA Champions League Qualifying | |
| Celtic 0 - 2 Arsenal | |
| Saturday 15th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Everton 1 - 6 Arsenal | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chelsea | 13 | 33 |
| 2 | Manchester United | 13 | 28 |
| 3 | Arsenal | 12 | 25 |
| 4 | Aston Villa | 13 | 22 |
| 5 | Tottenham Hotspur | 12 | 22 |
Pictures from Saturday's action where Liverpool draw with Man City and Arsenal lose away.
Bristol City fan Hannah Shine was strutting her as the Soccerette in the Soccer AM studios this week.
Preston North End fan Hazel Fox was strutting her stuff in the Soccer AM studios this week.
Cesc Fabregas has revealed how Arsene Wenger keeps pushing the Arsenal players to fulfil their potential.
Arsene Wenger has declared that contract talks are underway with William Gallas, Tomas Rosicky and Carlos Vela.
A second-half goal from Darren Bent was enough to give Sunderland a shock 1-0 victory over Arsenal.
Arsene Wenger says that his side were punished for a lack of mental preparation against Sunderland.
Chelsea continued their relentless march at the top of the table as Arsenal lost to Sunderland and Manchester City held Liverpool.